Night lights? Too bright?

Norstar · #1 03-23-2009, 02:17 AM

I have my sumps on an opposite 12 hr light cycle to my tanks. It seems rather bright in my aquarium room at night.

I was just wondering if the tanks (fish) need more darkness? Should I cover (so to speak) the tanks in order to reproduce more of a night and day cycle?

Thanks!

GreenSpottedPuffer · #2 03-23-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norstar

I have my sumps on an opposite 12 hr light cycle to my tanks. It seems rather bright in my aquarium room at night.

I was just wondering if the tanks (fish) need more darkness? Should I cover (so to speak) the tanks in order to reproduce more of a night and day cycle?

Thanks!

I would. I find my fish don't settle down and sleep until after my moonlights go out and its really dark.

Norstar · #3 03-23-2009, 04:57 AM

Anyone else?

banditpowdercoat · #4 03-23-2009, 05:03 AM

I have Blue LED's on my tank. i have them dimmed. The fish appear to sleep fine. I mean, there not yawning in the morning and such. The LED's only light the center, so theres alot of places the fish can go where it's dark. I am working on a moonlight cycle though. We'll see how that turns out

reef bound · #5 03-23-2009, 06:23 AM

I find some of my fish really don't settle down until it's dark, like my naso tang. I think he's afraid he'll miss something going on. On the other hand, my niger trigger doesn't even wait until the lights are out to tuck himself into his cubby, but he's weird. I'd say they should have it dark for a time, yes.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #6 03-23-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef bound

I find some of my fish really don't settle down until it's dark, like my naso tang. I think he's afraid he'll miss something going on. On the other hand, my niger trigger doesn't even wait until the lights are out to tuck himself into his cubby, but he's weird. I'd say they should have it dark for a time, yes.

My Naso is the exact same. He won't go to bed until lights are all out. And even then if the TV is on, hes right there watching until it goes off. My Hippo though is in bed as soon as the main lights go out.

Leah · #7 03-23-2009, 02:21 PM

My anthia's are like that if any small source of light is on they come out right away. May
be because often I will throw some food in when it is semi dark. But all my hippo's hide
till the last minute. The room has to be light or some light in the tank. I think they need
darkness too.

Pier Pressure · #8 03-23-2009, 03:44 PM

I have moonlights that I stopped using because none of the fish would sleep in the "spotlights" so to speak. I would cover the tank as fishes seem to prefer to sleep in total darkness.

Tom R · #9 03-23-2009, 04:03 PM

This is a very good question.

I have my moon lights on a cycle that turns them off at 12:00 till 8:30 am giving the tank total darkness. This totally reduces the fish activity.

However in real life the shallow waters on a full moon lit night are not dark. I am sure that in the shallow waters it must be almost daylight. As fish are always on the hunt for food, I would think that non nocturnal fish would use a bright moon lit night to find an extra meal.

High tide · #10 03-23-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

This is a very good question.

I have my moon lights on a cycle that turns them off at 12:00 till 8:30 am giving the tank total darkness. This totally reduces the fish activity.

However in real life the shallow waters on a full moon lit night are not dark. I am sure that in the shallow waters it must be almost daylight. As fish are always on the hunt for food, I would think that non nocturnal fish would use a bright moon lit night to find an extra meal.

I agree with this, the moon provides a fair amount of light. However, in your case I'd say the light is more disturbing because it is coming from an unnatural angle.